Veterinary technicians are becoming an increasingly important component of the veterinary care sector. By assisting veterinarians in their duties, the vet tech can drastically improve the level of care provided to domestic pets and livestock alike.
By assisting veterinarians in their duties, the vet tech can drastically improve the level of care provided to domestic pets and livestock alike.
Especially in states such as Oregon, where both companion animals and livestock are present, employment opportunities for certified vet techs are extremely promising.
Vet Techs and the Job Market In Oregon And Nationwide.
Due to the rising importance many individuals place on high quality veterinary care for their pets, the demand for certified vet techs continues to grow.
In addition to rural and urban veterinary practices, vet techs may find employment in the farming and ranching sector, private and government humane societies, animal control agencies, and wildlife management agencies.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics currently predicts that this field will grow by at least 52 percent between 2010 and 2020, which is considerably higher than the average for other fields with equivalent educational requirements. Oregon
Oregon employs over 1400 vet techs, with an annual median wage of over $30,000. This makes an Oregon vet tech career extremely promising for newly graduated candidates and older workers alike.
Becoming an Oregon Vet Tech
The Oregon Veterinary Medical Examiner Board (OVMEB) controls the licensure of vet techs in the state, and has established the requirements that every student must fulfill in order to become a certified vet tech.
- Graduation from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited vet tech program.
- Alternately, on the job training with a licensed Oregon veterinarian may be substituted for academic schooling. However, there are strict guidelines that apply to this certification method so the OVMEB should be consulted before hand.
- Successfully complete the Oregon jurisprudence exam/regional disease test.
The first step most students will take is to complete an accredited vet tech program.
Veterinary technician schools in Oregon must be accredited with the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) in order for the course work to count towards completion of the state requirements.
The AVMA is a national organization which ensures that all programs are as effective as possible in preparing their students for the duties and challenges in the vet tech field.
AVMA accredited programs are available from community colleges and vocational schools alike. Depending on the program and the student’s schedule, they can range in duration from several months to two years or more.
Most schools also have provisions for students who are working, and can only attend school part-time. In some cases, a school may also have provisions for online classes, allowing the student to learn at his or her own pace without having to physically attend classes.
The VTNE
After successfully completing a vet tech program, the student must next take and pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE). The VTNE is administered and prepared by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB).
The VTNE is designed to evaluate the student’s academic and practical knowledge regarding the vet tech’s duties, as well as the underlying principles of veterinary medicine. The ASVSB continually updates the VTNE to ensure that it remains up to date with the modern state of veterinary medicine.
If the vet tech is licensed to practice in another state, and has had at least 7,500 hours of experience, as well as having graduated from an AVMA accredited college before 1990, the technician may request that the state allow him or her to waive taking the VTNE. In this case, the vet tech should immediately contact the state to determine what type of documentation he or she will have to provide.
The State Jurisprudence and Regional Disease Test
For those students who have successfully passed the VTNE, the state requires that they also take a state jurisprudence and regional disease test. This test is designed to ensure that the candidate is fully aware of how the law interacts with the practice of veterinary medicine in Oregon. This is especially important for vet techs, who must be aware of their professional obligations as certified veterinary technicians.
Upon successfully completing these steps and providing the state with all the required documentation, the veterinary technician will be certified to practice in Oregon. Certified vet techs must renew their license every two years.
In addition to the renewal fee, the state requires that all vet techs complete at least 15 hours of continuing education (CE) from approved sources over the course of the two years.
In today’s economy, becoming a certified veterinary technician can be a gateway to a secure and well-compensated career. As an Oregon CVT, certified vet techs will find themselves becoming a vital part of the state’s veterinary care sector, or find employment in neighboring states, Washington or California where demand, too, is growing.